KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Rudyard Spencer, says negotiations are ongoing with the three per cent of public-sector workers who have not yet signed the wage agreement for the 2015-2017 contract period.

Ninety-seven per cent of public-sector workers have already signed on to the Heads of Agreement for wage increase and improved benefits.

Under the agreement, workers are entitled to a four per cent wage increase in year one and a three per cent increase in year two.  

Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Spencer said the outstanding groups are workers in the health, education and security sectors.

Public-sector pharmacists were the latest group to sign the Heads of Agreement on April 18.

The State Minister, who has responsibility for the public service, informed the House that “activities are now under way to ensure the implementation of the items agreed on”.

He informed that approximately $544 million was paid out to public-sector employees for the 2015/2016 financial year. That figure included funeral grants, computer and motor-vehicle loans, and miscellaneous and tertiary education assistance loans.

He also indicated that motor-vehicle loan limits increased to $1.5 million for pre-owned vehicles and $2.5 million for new vehicles, while funeral grant benefits for public officers, who die in service, increased to $300,000.

An additional $80.5 million went towards transportation of workers and tuition refund.